Tony Hale Tackles Parental Angst and Sharing the Screen With Kids in Toronto Pic ‘Sketch’: ‘These Kids Just Had Such a Natural Gift’

As a seasoned movie critic with a soft spot for actors who bring authenticity and heart to their roles, I find Tony Hale‘s performance in “Sketch” nothing short of captivating. His ability to navigate the intricate balance between grief and humor is truly commendable, making this film a unique blend of emotion and fantasy that resonates deeply.


Tony Hale is discussing over the phone about his upcoming film titled “Sketch”, which will be screened at TIFF; in just a few days, he’ll be helping his 18-year-old daughter Loy settle into college for her freshman year. He finds it “satisfying” and asks, “Isn’t it good?” as he reflects on the transition.

In “Sketch,” the actor famed for performances in “Veep” and “Arrested Development” assumes the main role. Given his anxiety, this film seems particularly relevant. As Taylor, a bereaved father, Hale portrays sorrow and apprehension long before the strange creature born from his daughter’s disturbing artwork manifests and wreaks havoc on their town.

In this complex scenario, Hale has to contend with Taylor’s grief over loss and otherworldly beings at once. A pivotal instance is when Taylor hides his family photos to avoid being overwhelmed by sorrow: “He may be smart,” Hale remarks, “but he’s focused on survival.” Throughout this ordeal, both Hale and director Seth Worley endeavored to maintain a balanced narrative tone. As Worley, a long-time friend of Hale’s, had previously shared the script for feedback, they aimed to incorporate humor with clever timing to prevent the story from becoming too somber.

In the movie “Sketch,” Hale collaborated with actors Bianca Belle and Kue Lawrence, who portrayed his children Amber and Jack. Handling complex material to such young actors might have been nerve-wracking. However, these kids possessed a remarkable natural talent – it was truly a sigh of relief for him, especially considering Jack’s performance, as he skillfully conveyed the struggle of holding the family together while his father grappled with his own pain: “As a father, I should have realized we needed to grieve this.” The bizarre and whimsical plot serves as a platform for revealing authentic truths about family dynamics.

During his own youth, Hale found solace in theater: “I was raised in the South, where football is almost a form of worship, and I didn’t fit into that crowd,” he recalls. “Theater provided a place for me to express myself – a place where I wasn’t criticized but celebrated for it, and urged to be more humorous.” Hale sees the stage as similar to Amber’s use of cartoon monsters to release emotions. “That was my chance to receive the sketchbook and the colored pencils,” he says. “I did things I wouldn’t dare do at school, where I would have been labeled odd. But on the stage, it felt like, ‘Let’s push the boundaries as much as we can!’

Hal put all his passion and quirky enthusiasm into his most famous character, Gary, the loyal political advisor on “Veep”; he earned two Emmys for a show that has gained renewed relevance as our real-life vice president’s political position has changed – it’s back in the spotlight. He dismisses any comparisons between Kamala Harris and Selina Meyer, the series’ character he portrayed: “Wow, who would have thought Gary’s opinion mattered now?” he laughs. “The whole internet buzz comparing her to Kamala is just ridiculous. Politics is a world unto itself; we always saw it as just a workplace comedy.

What binds “Veep” to the rest of Hale’s work is the human element – the minor victories and setbacks that people experience. Recently, Hale has been focusing on children’s productions, such as providing voices for the “Toy Story” and “Inside Out” series; “Sketch” offers a chance to create something suitable for all ages, and Hale can’t help but reminisce about his college-bound daughter. “When Loy was young,” he shares, “it was hard to watch things together that weren’t frustrating. Family time is truly special – moments you don’t mind rewatching multiple times. That’s the kind of life we hope this project brings.

Read More

2024-09-08 16:46